Construction of a motorcycle mower

Although gasoline trimmers may differ in small details, they still have a similar overall design. Under the plastic housing is the heart of the trimmer — the engine (1). On the left side, the device is equipped with a fuel tank (2) of a certain volume, into which a mixture of oil and gasoline is poured, in the proportions specified by the manufacturer (for two-stroke engines). Almost all models have a rubber or foam hip protection (3) located on a rod in the immediate vicinity of the engine, which reduces vibration transmitted to the operator's hip. Below there are rubberized handles, on one of which there is a control system (4) in the form of a throttle valve and a start lock button.

An aluminium or steel rod (5) is connected to a gearbox (7), which is responsible for rotating the nozzle (8). To protect the operator from grass flying in all directions, the trimmer design provides plastic or metal protection (6).

The design of a gasoline motorcycle mower

Features that you should pay attention to when choosing

Before buying, pay attention to the following indicators:

  • Power. The power of the mower largely affects its performance. For regular mowing (maintenance) of the lawn, models from 800 to 1500 watts are quite suitable. For mowing high and dense grass, it is worth looking at models from 1500 to 2500 watts. And if it is necessary to mow the "virgin land" or trim the sprouts of trees, then it is worth buying an aggregate with a power of over 2500 watts. Professional models with a capacity of 3000 – 4000 watts will be of interest to utilities and private companies engaged in cleaning the city from overgrowth.
  • Engine type. Most of the moccasins are equipped with two-stroke engines, the power of which is enough for almost all tasks. However, their disadvantage is a rather high noise, so it is extremely necessary to use headphones when working to avoid hearing damage. Also, two-stroke engines are fueled with a mixture of oil and gasoline, mixing up the proportions of which can harm the device. Some models, such as the Makita EBH 341U, have a four-stroke engine, which is less noisy compared to a two-stroke and consumes less fuel. Also, the filling of oil and gasoline is carried out in different tanks, so it will not work to "overdo it" with the dosage. However, units equipped with four-stroke engines are heavier than two-stroke analogues, and they are more expensive.
Motorcycle pumps with 4-stroke internal combustion engine
  • The design of the rod. The most common are straight barbells. Inside the aluminium or steel rod there is a metal shaft that transmits rotational impulses to the gearbox, and that in turn turns the nozzle. Thanks to this design feature, it is the models with straight rods that are the most powerful. For most tasks, such gasoline pumps are quite enough. The only downside is slightly more weight than models with other types of barbells. In models with curved rods, instead of a shaft, there is a steel cable that rotates the nozzle. Unfortunately, it cannot transmit the same torque as the shaft, so motorcycle mowers with curved rods are equipped with small engines in the range from 0.8 to 1.1 hp. But curved ones are easier to process flowerbeds, trim the "curly" lawn and cut grass under benches. Trimmers with a curved rod are suitable for those who plan to trim low thin grass, as well as for regular lawn treatment. Also, their advantage is a relatively small weight of up to 5 kg. There are also models of collapsible type, both with straight and curved rods. Their advantage is compactness in disassembled condition, which is very important during transportation (can be transported in the boot) and storage in the garage.
Curved and straight rod type
  • The width of the mowing. This indicator determines the distance that the cutting nozzle of the trimmer captures. There is a relationship between the power of the device and the width of the grass: the more powerful the device, the easier it will be for him to cut a wider area. The optimal mowing width for gasoline trimmers is forty centimeters — suitable for medium and large areas.
Trimmers with fishing line diameter > 2 mm
  • Working nozzle. As standard, each mower is equipped with a spool with a fishing line wound on it. This nozzle is convenient for mowing soft grass and mowing the lawn. In principle, it can mow thick grass, but then it will quickly wear off. For most models it is better to take a fishing line from 2 to 2.8 mm thick (if the diameter of the hole in the spool allows). Note that the material of the fishing line must withstand the high temperature that arises from friction, so as not to melt and stick to the spool. Therefore, when choosing components, check with the seller whether the fishing line can withstand 200 degrees. If you have to prune thickets and thick grass, it is better to use a blade knife or a disk. The second mowing width is usually smaller, but it is able to cut small trees well.
A variety of nozzles for motorcycle mowers
  • Belt. Considering that most models weigh more than 5 kg, it is worth buying with a two-shoulder strap, especially if you plan to mow the grass for several hours. Some manufacturers, such as STIHL, produce comfortable straps over two shoulders with plastic hip protection from vibrations. Please note that most mowers provide the possibility of attaching a belt from a third-party manufacturer, so a suitable option can always be purchased separately.
Two-shoulder strap with hip protection
  • Protective cover. It is extremely dangerous to work without this part, so it should always be in good condition on the spit. The casings are plastic and metal. If you have to mow on a site where there are a lot of stones and other hard objects that can fly away from a metal disk, then the plastic protection can simply break — a metal casing is needed here. It is not always included, but it can be purchased at any time. When buying, pay attention to the size of the disks that will "become" under one or another casing.
Protective cover
  • The shape of the handle. Trimmers with a looped handle are usually relatively light devices up to 5.5 kg (heavy models are less common). This form of handle has only one advantage over the bicycle — portability, thanks to which the device is easier to transport. Otherwise, the bicycle mowing is superior to the arc-shaped one in terms of convenience: it is easier for her to drive a scythe on the grass and her hands get tired less.
Bicycle and arc-shaped handles
  • Weight. If long-term frequent mowing of grass is planned, it is best to take models with a weight of 3 to 6 kg. The purchase of heavy powerful units weighing up to 12 kg is due only to the need for constant mowing of thick sprouts of trees, therefore it will be of interest to utility companies.

Important: if almost any engine oil is suitable for the gearbox of the mower (in the "purpose" section, select "gasoline tool"), then for the engine it is worth taking only the oil specified by the manufacturer, which is mixed in a certain proportion with gasoline (for 2-stroke engines). If you add more oil, then the engine will smoke, and if less, then rapid wear of friction units will occur — regularly monitor the strict observance of proportions.

Engine oils for gasoline tools

Conclusions

To maintain the lawn in proper condition, as well as for mowing low thin grass, it is worth taking light motorcycle mowers with a curved rod with a power of up to 1000 watts. If you have to mow "virgin land" with high dense grass, it is better to look at the models 1500 – 2500 watts, and purchase an additional blade knife or disc for pruning the growth. The purchase of professional powerful units is justified only for utility companies or specialized private companies.